Bacteria's favorite hangouts

Hand washing: Done right

Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Studies have shown that washing hands with soap and water for just 15 seconds removes 90 percent of bacteria — but many people do not wash their hands often enough or dry them thoroughly, said Dr. Anthony Komaroff, editor of the Harvard Health Letter. In a telephone survey of Americans, more than 90 percent of those questioned said they would wash their hands after using a public restroom, according to a report. But when researchers observed people in various public restrooms they found that 75 percent of men and 90 percent of women washed their hands before leaving the restroom.

Studies have shown that washing hands with soap and water for just 15 seconds removes 90 percent of bacteria — but many people do not wash their hands often enough or dry them thoroughly, said Dr. Anthony Komaroff, editor of the Harvard Health Letter. In a telephone survey of Americans, more than 90 percent of those questioned said they would wash their hands after using a public restroom, according to a report. But when researchers observed people in various public restrooms they found that 75 percent of men and 90 percent of women washed their hands before leaving the restroom. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

The dirty details: A 2007 study by researchers at the University of Arizona found that nearly two-thirds of shopping carts tested were contaminated with fecal bacteria, and about 75 percent of them tested positive for E. coli. Stay clean: Swab the shopping cart handle with a disinfectant wipe before grabbing it. Before eating any of the food you bought, wash your hands, Brown said.

The dirty details: A 2007 study by researchers at the University of Arizona found that nearly two-thirds of shopping carts tested were contaminated with fecal bacteria, and about 75 percent of them tested positive for E. coli. Stay clean: Swab the shopping cart handle with a disinfectant wipe before grabbing it. Before eating any of the food you bought, wash your hands, Brown said. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

It's a given that shopping does damage to your wallet, but experts are now saying that it could also be harmful to your health. Close quarters inside the stores, combined with dry heat, poor hygiene by other shoppers and less-than-ideal cleanliness inside many malls can equal a cold or more severe illnesses. And though your body is designed to fight bacteria, it'll really get a workout during the next few months. "The mucous of our nasal passages captures and clears dust, microbes and debris, but this process may be a little less efficient in dry, warm, recirculating air," said Betsey Dyer, biology professor at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and author of "A Field Guide to Bacteria." "If a person's nasal passages are already compromised with either a common cold or flu virus, a secondary infection of bacteria could settle in such as strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis or whooping cough." Learn how to protect yourself by knowing where the germs are and following our expert's tips on avoidance. By Danielle Braff, Special to Tribune Newspapers sunday@tribune.com